Host Chris Jennings is joined by Beau Brooks, digital marketing specialist for Higdon Outdoors, to talk about the highly popular whistle. Brooks specializes in calling ducks with a whistle. He explains his best practices calling teal, wood ducks, wigeon, pintails, and mallards. Listeners are sure to pick up a handful of helpful tips as Brooks detai…

Are you thinking of building a pond or are managing an existing pond? In this episode, Wes presents his crash course in pond management. Learn about the best approaches for recreational fishing ponds from construction to stocking to fish management, and even adjusting water quality to maximum fish health and trophy production. We’ll start with the …

After 4 years of extended drought, spring and summer rains finally provide relief to the US and Canadian prairies, but what does it mean for the fall flight? Dr. Scott Stephens joins co-hosts Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher for a mid-July update on breeding habitat conditions across the prairies and boreal forest. Because much of the rain came …

Invasive plants outcompete native vegetation, destroying habitat for many species of wildlife, degrading native ecosystems, and reducing agricultural productivity. Join us as we discuss strategies and important considerations for invasive plant management. Resources discussed in this episode: KSRE Chemical Weed Control Guide: https://bookstore.ksre…

Heather Keane Thomas joins us to shed light on her non-traditional upbringing with her father and renowned turkey researcher Dr. Lovett Williams. From childhood experiences imprinting poults on their family farm to attending national turkey conventions for family vacations, this is a story time you won’t want to miss. Resources: Lovett Williams (We…

Much has been said about increasing prevalence of game-farm genes in mallard populations, but evidence has been scarce on whether these genes produce differences in behavior and demography…until now. Pivotal research by Dr. Ben Luukkonen reveals that game-farm hybrids differ from wild mallards in their movements, migration, habitat use, and nest in…

Approximately two thirds of Americans do not have a will and the implications of this can be far reaching. Join us as Dr. Rebecca Smith, Director of the Mississippi State University Extension Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy, discusses basic estate planning and how it can help landowners. For questions or comments, email us at t…

How do we restore salmon spawning habitat in the Upper Salmon watershed without harming the ranching communities that rely on the river? The answer lies in locally-driven collaboration. In this episode, we explore the decades-long community effort to restore spawning grounds for Columbia Basin salmon by letting landowners take the lead. Back in the…

Great Lakes mallards are an important source of local harvest for hunters in the region, but their population has declined by nearly 60% since 1997. Recently completed research sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and a host of other partners provides insights into the potential causes. In the first of this 2-part discussion, Dr. Ben Luukkonen, imminent Ph…

We sit down for a second time to answer questions from our listeners and followers - ranging from topics on upcoming turkey research, mid-summer land management recommendations, how to increase gobbling on your property by 10-fold, and more! Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Brooding an…

Happy Independence Day, everyone! You inspire us to innovate and improve. We cannot wait to share these exciting new chapters with you and continue our journey together in preserving our wetlands and waterfowl for generations to come. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out with questions, comments, or suggestions for content. Thank you for listeni…

Often, the term “clearcut” is viewed as a 4-lettered word when it comes to forest or wildlife management. But, can clearcuts provide vital resources for songbirds – including those species typically associated with mature closed canopy forests? Join us for our conversation with Dr. Patrick Ruhl as we explore his research into songbird use of clearc…

Every 2 years, there is a transition at the top of DU’s volunteer leadership, as the membership approves a new President and the outgoing president takes the helm as Chairman of the Board. On this episode, DU’s new President, Bob Spoerl, joins Chairman of the Board, Chuck Smith, and podcast host Dr. Mike Brasher to discuss the ins and outs of this …

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is reintroducing Alligator Snapping Turtles into Kansas. Join us as we discuss why these turtles need introduced, whether you should be concerned about turtles eating fish in your pond, and the many other roles that all turtles play in maintaining a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Dr. Joe Gerken and Dr. Drew R…

In this episode, we recap our recent trip to the annual Wild Turkey Working Group and share major findings from research projects across Southern states. Donate to wild turkey research: UF Turkey Donation Fund , Auburn Turkey Donation Fund Resources: Byrne, Michael E., et al. (2022). "Nest site fidelity and nesting success of female wild turkeys." …

This month we are joined by Sam Wilson, Furbearer Carnivore Program Manager at Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and Jason Clark, Conservation Forester at the Nebraska Forest Service, to discuss mountain lions in Nebraska. Resources: Medullary Configurations Illustration Mountain Lion Management in Nebraska ***Updated population estimates in Nebr…

Kim Sash, the Biological Monitoring Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station, joins us to shed light on how fire shapes reptilian and amphibian habitat, the challenges of applying fire regimes to wetland management, and how fire is used to help conserve these fascinating creatures. Resources: Bailey, M. A., et al. (2006). Habitat management gu…

Kim Sash, the Biological Monitoring Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station, joins us to shed light on how fire shapes reptilian and amphibian habitat, the challenges of applying fire regimes to wetland management, and how fire is used to help conserve these fascinating creatures. Resources: Bailey, M. A., et al. (2006). Habitat management gu…

On this episode of the Ducks Unlimited podcast, Dr. Jerad Henson hosts Dr. Mike Brasher, senior waterfowl scientist, and Dr. Ellen Herbert, senior scientist for Sustainability and Nature-Based Solutions. They dive into the value of wetlands, discussing the importance of wetlands for waterfowl and sustainability. They highlight the significance of w…

In the heart of America's grasslands, a battle for survival is unfolding. The lesser prairie-chicken, an iconic species of the Great Plains, is on the brink of extinction. But there's a growing network of producers and partners across the plains looking to change that. Today on the show, can ranchers and partners work together to save the lesser pr…

Thanks to a newly approved pintail harvest strategy, waterfowl hunters in the Lower 48 may soon have the opportunity for a 3-pintail bag limit for the first time since 1997. In this June roundup, Chris Jennings and Dr. Mike Brasher provide updates on the new strategy and what it might mean for hunters, and when we should expect to learn more. New i…

In this episode, we take a step away from the scientific literature to ask a regen ag practitioner about their experiences and glean some interesting observations for future study. Jason Snavely, wildlife biologist and founder of Drop-Tine Wildlife Consulting, joins us to dive deep into the microbiology of soil health, trade-offs between convention…